"Free Fridays" Concert Series: The Impostors (The Beatles Tribute)

- The City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department are hosting The Beatles tribute band, The Impostors, at the “Free Fridays” Concert Series Friday, Sept. 14.

The Beatles forever changed the face of popular music in America with their 1964 performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” The Impostors, formed in 1984, are one of Gainesville’s most popular local groups, featuring some of the area’s most accomplished musicians. The Impostors include local musicians Michael Derry (guitar/vocals), Mike Boulware (guitar/vocals), Don David (guitar/vocals), Ron Thomas (bass/vocals), Brad Bangstad (keyboards) and Rob Rothschild (drums).

According to band co-founder Michael Derry, “After an unbroken 34 years of performance, the group is still having a ball, and so are our audiences.” “Free Fridays” Concert Series coordinator David Ballard says, “Whenever The Impostors play at ‘Free Fridays,’ they always draw a huge and enthusiastic crowd.”

The Impostors play a wide selection of The Beatles’ favorites from the popular hits of their early heydays, through the experimental era of the “Revolver” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” albums, to the “Abbey Road” album and their final rooftop appearance. For a special treat, this year’s “Free Fridays” concert also features a string quartet that includes Aaron Colverson (violin), Marina Tucker (violin), Helen Kirkland (viola) and Austin Hierholzer (cello). They will play along with The Impostors on The Beatles hits “I am the Walrus,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “Yesterday.”

The Impostors concert is one of the select “Free Fridays” classic rock concerts that are sponsored by classic rock radio station WIND-FM (92.5, 95.5, 107.9).

“Free Fridays” is presented by the City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. It is funded in part by a Tourist Development Tax Grant from the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners in conjunction with the Alachua County Tourist Development Council and Culture Builds Florida. “Free Fridays” runs 8 – 10 p.m. each Friday night, from May 4 to Oct. 19 at Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 E. University Ave. in downtown Gainesville. The entire “Free Fridays” 2018 schedule can be viewed at www.freefridaysgnv.com. For general information, contact Russell Etling, cultural affairs manager, at etlingrh@cityofgainesville.org or 352-393-8532. For more information about this event, please contact David Ballard at ballarddg@cityofgainesville.org or 352-393-8746.